Divvy's point about where you went to school being important is relevant here as well. I went to public school but worked in a profession that was mostly filled with ex private school and mixed with other professions who were likewise. There is an enormous benefit to being "an old Hale Boy" or "a St Hilda's Girl". Enormous. I agree it is wrong, but that's the way it is and I don't see it changing any time soon so that was certainly a factor for me in choosing a private school education for my kids - benefits of the here and now education but also benefits for their career down the track. Like fionas, I want my children to choose whatever career will make them happy, but I want them to have as many options to choose from as possible.

Were we living in our old area (affluent, inner city) they would be going to public school for primary and then private for high school. That's not an option here so they're private all the way. We made the move to our current area as a lifestyle choice though, so I guess we have the best of both worlds.